Fruit gatherer



J. KNAPP FRUIT GATHERER Feb, 1?, 1 94s.

Filed Dec.

Patented .Feb. 17, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 7 FRUIT GATHERER.

John Knapp, Holland, Mich. Application December 12, 1945, Serial No. 634,511

Th s invention relates to a device for gathering fruit in a practical and economical manner, more particularly for use in large orchards with a great number of fruit trees, such as cherries, plums, peaches, pears and apples which are easily and permanently injured if permitted to fall on the ground, and thus spoiled for the market.

Accordingly, a great saving for the farmer will result," not to mention saving of time and labor and giving the assurance of getting a large harvest of unspoiled and attractive looking crop of whole fruit.

Another advantage in using this device resides in avoiding handling of the fruit by hand, which often causes spoiling and injuring of the fruit particularly berries and such fruit which has a soft pulp and tender skin.

Other advantages will be understood from the reading of the following description with the aid of the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a fruit tree ready for picking with a gatherer of the present invention placed below it ready for collecting the fruit caused to fall from it.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the gatherer open and ready for placing around the'trunk of the tree.

Figure 3 is a similar view of the gatherer placed aroundthe tree trunk and locked in position.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary edge view of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary elevation of the hinged end of the device in Figure 3 showing openings for emptying the pan.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary side elevation of the locking device between the two halves as seen fromthe left of Figure 3.

In the figures like reference numerals denote like details of the device.

The fruit gatherer or berry picker consists of two main parts, a left hand half and a right hand half II which are hinged together at l2 for outward swinging into the open position shown in Figure 2.

Each half It! and H is made of sheet metal forming a half-moon pan or receptacle, that is, having a semi-circular outer edge or wall [3 and a substantially straight diametrical, inner edge or wall M from which the pan tapers down to a fiat bottom 24, com letely filling the space between said edges. At the exact center an outward semi-circular bulge I is formed in the straight edge of each half, so that when the pan is closed as in Figures 1 and 3, a circular opening large enough to fit around the trunk of a tree to be picked as indicated in Figure 1 is formed.

4 Claims. (Cl. 56-329) The underside of the bottom I 4 of the pan is the edge l3 the arm I! carries a hinge bolt IS with a lock nut for a swinging latch member 20. This latch member has two spaced. flat leaf members 2| adapted to straddle the arms l6, I! when closed to lock the two pan halves ll, 13 together in closed position. The tightening of the wing nut on bolt l9 assures the retention of the pan in locked position.

Each half pan section It). H is covered on the inside and bottom with canvas 2| or similar material to soften the fall of the fruit. For securing or lacing the canvas in each pan H], II a series of perforations 22 are provided around their edges l3.

For the convenience of carrying the pan. each half is provided with grips or handles 23 in front and rear.

Each half l0 and II of the pan is provided near the hinge l2 with an opening 25 for emptying the pan and this is normally closed by a slide 26 pushed across during the fruit gathering procedure.

In operation the pan is placed under a fruit tree as seen in Figure 1 with the tree trunk in the central opening l5 and the halves swung together and locked by the latch member 20 pressing the arms l6. l1 tightly together and secured by the wing nut l9. The fruit is then caused to fall on the canvas, subseouently. after the pan has been filled. the slide 26 is pushed back from the openings 25 to permit the removal of the fruit.

It is to be understood that the invention as here disclosed is not limited to the details here described and shown but that the same may be varied without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the subjoined claims.

I claim:

1. A fruit gathering pan consisting of two semi-circular halves hinged together at one end of a diametrical line and having locking means at the opposite end, each half having a straight side wall with a central bulge along said diametrical line, an arcuate side wall joining said straight side wall, both sides tapering down to a fiat bottom forming a unit therewith. each half having an opening in the side wall for emptying and a sliding door therefor, said locking means consisting of a hasp with two spaced leaves adapted to grip corresponding end proderneath the bottom, and a canvas cover over 5 the entire bottom and sides of each half, the side edges of each pan being provided with a series of apertures adapted for lacing to secure said canvas cover.

cured to said arcuate walls and registering with said apertures, said latch means including a hasp pivoted to a selected portion lockingly engaging a second portion.

4. A fruit gathering device comprising a pair of receptacles having an arcuate wall and a substantially straight wall, means for hingedly connecting said receptacles, a portion of said straight walls extending from the edge of said arcuate 2. A fruit gathering device comprisingapair 10 walls, latch means associated with said-portions,

of receptacles having an arcuate wall and a substantially straight wall, means for hingedly' connecting said receptacles, a portion of. said. straight walls extending from the edge of said' covers, means for securing said covers to said receptacles, apertures in said arcuate walls, apertures in said covers, closure means slidably securedto said arcuate walls and registering with arcuate Walls, latch means associated with said 15" said apertures, said cover securing means inportions, covers, means for securing said covers to said receptacles, apertures in said arcuate= walls, apertures in said covers, closure-means slidably secured to said'arcuate walls and registering with said apertures.

3. A-iruit'gathering' device comprising a pair of receptacles'having an arcuate' wall and a. sub stantially'straight walhimeansforl hingedly connecting said receptaclesya portioniof said straight walls. extending from the edge ofsaidarcuate' 25 Number walls; latch means associatedwithisaidi portions; covers; means for securing said' covers to said. receptacles; apertures in: said arcuate walls, a pertures insaid covers; .closuremeans slidably. se-

cluding lacing associated with said covers secured to said arcuate walls and said straight walls.

JOHN KNAPP.

REFERENCES CITED The following references:-are of=recordin the" file of this: patent:

UNITED I STAT-ES PATENTS I Name. Date- 1,058,241 J ensen. Apr. 8, 1913 5 1,371,999 Allshouse Mar. 22,. 1921 1,415,883 Boelina'n: May. 16, 1922 

